Climate Watch: Coalition asks FG to address energy inequality

Climate change directly affects our communities, health, and livelihoods.

Yet, media coverage often prioritises politics and business over climate-related stories, leaving crucial environment news under-reported.

Climate Watch seeks to bridge this information gap, ensuring that important climate change stories and mitigation efforts stay on your radar.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• The African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) has urged the Nigerian government to prioritise policy implementation and public awareness to bridge the country’s growing energy inequality.
• Speaking at a national consultative dialogue on Nigeria’s energy transition and renewable energy commitments in Abuja on February 14, Pius Oko, ACSEA’s country project lead, highlighted the devastating impact of energy poverty in Nigeria.He noted that over 70 percent of the population relies on firewood for cooking, a practice responsible for over 93,000 deaths annually due to indoor air pollution. Oko said Nigeria already has the necessary legal and policy frameworks to drive energy transition, citing the Climate Change Act (CCA 2021) and the Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
• Abba Aliyu, managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), says the federal government has allocated N100 billion in the 2025 budget for solar mini-grids across public institutions. Aliyu said the initiative, which is awaiting approval from the national assembly, aims to provide reliable, cost-effective, and climate-friendly power to select federal universities and teaching hospitals. He said the mini-grids will be deployed to institutions including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria (NSUKKA), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). Read more here.
• Usman Ododo, Kogi state governor, says radio remains the most reliable medium to sensitise and educate people about the impact of climate change. The governor spoke about the contribution of radio to the development of a democratic culture in Nigeria as the world commemorated the 2025 World Radio Day on February 13. He said radio plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about climate change, and can also be used to support communities affected by climate-related challenges. Read more here.